Articles

Chambers Weigh Proposed Bills The Columbia Montour Chamber of Commerce is a proud partner of the Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry, which advocates for a competitive and vibrant business climate in Pennsylvania.  Earlier this week, the PA Chamber released updates about pending legislation that will impact businesses in Columbia and Montour Counties and across…

1/27/25 Corporate Transparency Act Update What’s Current (As of 1/27/2025) Summary: As of January 27, 2025, business ownership reporting requirements under the Corporate Transparency Act remain voluntary.  Why?  There is still a Business Ownership Information injunction in place.  While the Supreme Court of the United States lifted an injunction in the Texas Top Cop Shop…

Navigating the Uncertainty of New Ideas: Building Consensus in the Workplace Innovation is crucial for competitive advantage, but new ideas often face resistance due to differing perceptions and a lack of shared evaluation standards among decision-makers. Research shows that novel ideas encounter increased perceived risk when team members have varying opinions on their value, leading…

Cash Management to Improve Your Bottom Line Source: Dan Sturm, McKonly & Asbury Cash management manages the inflows and outflows of cash in a business and is particularly important for construction contractors. Long payment cycles, unpredictable expenses, and fluctuating demand all emphasize the need for cash management. A solid cash management strategy and process can…

Build It In America Act Source: McKonly & Asbury In a bill that seems almost custom-made for manufacturers, the House of Representatives recently introduced HR 3938, or the Build It in America Act – which would immediately address three timely tax provisions left over from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. Research and Development Expenses…

An Unexpected Boost to Value – From Income Taxes Source: McKonly & Asbury By: Eric Blocher, CPA, ASA, CVA In my last article, “What A Difference A Year Can Make – Interest Rates,” I discussed factors that are out of a business owners’ control that can impact the value of their businesses. I highlighted increasing…

Minimum Wage Bill Passes PA House The Pennsylvania House of Representatives just passed House Bill 1500, legislation to significantly increase the minimum wage in Pennsylvania that would likely result in job losses, fewer employment opportunities and higher costs to consumers. Pennsylvania’s Independent Fiscal Office (IFO) explained in a report last month that approximately 30,000 Pennsylvanians…

Environmental Sustainability in Manufacturing Source: Mckonly & Asbury Over the past year, we have covered many manufacturing trends such as Industry 4.0, the economy, fraud, the skilled-labor shortage, creative labor solutions, and more. However, one topic which up until this point has not been emphasized is environmental sustainability in manufacturing. According to a recent Forbes article, sustainability is one of…

Leverage Small Business Resources Year-Round Sources: US Chamber of Commerce, Columbia Montour Chamber of Commerce   Many organizations provide support and online tools for small business owners and employees. Take advantage of these free resources during Small Business Month and throughout the year.  Trying to keep costs down? There are plenty of free business resources…